Motorhoming the Gibb River Road

by Bernie Daniels
(Brisbane)

We own a 10.5 meter motorhome based on a bus chassis. Behind it we tow a Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 4WD. We are hoping to travel to the area next year.

I travelled the Gibb River Road in the early 80's in a Landcruiser at the beginning of the dry and again the next year in July. Both were marvellous trips even though I was actually working as a rep visiting Aboriginal settlements including Kalumburu.

My question is, do you think it feasible to drive the Gibb River Road in the motorhome, camp in various camping areas and then use the 4WD for side trips? My greatest worry in driving the motorhome is the overhang both fore and aft and the risk of bottoming out on any sharp dips or humps.

From my memory of the trip the worst spots for washouts, dips etc. was the Kununurra end of the road. The road trains were not seen by me back then but time marches on.

Comments for
Motorhoming the Gibb River Road

Click here to add your own comments

by: Birgit

Hi Bernie,
I understand your concern, but I can't really give you a definite answer. The Gibb River Road changes all the time. It is in MUCH better condition now then when you last saw it, absolutely no comparison.

In the later dry season it is usually suitable for any two wheel drive vehicles. Backpackers tackle it in stationwagons or old VW campervans and do just fine, but a bus is of course a different story for the reasons that you describe.

There are no washouts or anything. It is a really well maintained road now (by Kimberley standards), albeit horribly corrugated due to the heavy traffic it sees.

However, you still have the river and creek crossings and you could certainly run into problems there. Another issue is that the camping areas you mention are not on the Gibb River Road itself. They are all on side tracks and those are usually just tracks.

I really don't know how you would go. I suspect most people will tell you that it's impossible. I personally think you would probably get through ok if the trip is scheduled for later in the year (July onwards), but I can't predict how some of the crossings will look after the next wet.

My problem when answering this is that the question is so unusual. I don't think this has been done before, so it's not something anyone ever thinks about. When I drove along anywhere there I never looked at the road, wondering if a bus would make it through or not. And to try and give an accurate answer from memory, even only a few weeks later, is impossible.

By the way, here is a question from another reader who wants to do the Gibb River Road in a bus.

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Birgit

Title

Comment
Hi Bernie, I understand your concern, but I can't really give you a definite answer. The Gibb River Road changes all the time. It is in MUCH better condition now then when you last saw it, absolutely no comparison. In the later dry season it is usually suitable for any two wheel drive vehicles. Backpackers tackle it in stationwagons or old VW campervans and do just fine, but a bus is of course a different story for the reasons that you describe. There are no washouts or anything. It is a really well maintained road now (by Kimberley standards), albeit horribly corrugated due to the heavy traffic it sees. However, you still have the river and creek crossings and you could certainly run into problems there. Another issue is that the camping areas you mention are not on the Gibb River Road itself. They are all on side tracks and those are usually just tracks. I really don't know how you would go. I suspect most people will tell you that it's impossible. I personally think you would probably get through ok if the trip is scheduled for later in the year (July onwards), but I can't predict how some of the crossings will look after the next wet. My problem when answering this is that the question is so unusual. I don't think this has been done before, so it's not something anyone ever thinks about. When I drove along anywhere there I never looked at the road, wondering if a bus would make it through or not. And to try and give an accurate answer from memory, even only a few weeks later, is impossible. By the way, here is a question from another reader who wants to do the <a href="http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/2wd-for-road-to-drysdale-river-station.html">Gibb River Road in a bus</a>.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

by: Bernie Daniels

Thank you for your your prompt reply to my request. When we do get to go I will check in with the local shire council to ask their advice and also locate a tow vehicle that I can call on if we get "hung up". I also intend to arm myself with an angle gauge of two pieces of wood screwed together that I can check any dips that look a little suspect.
Bernie Daniels

by: Birgit

That sounds like a very sensible way to tackle it. (Though I think I know what the shire might say...)

If you do really get to do this, I very much hope you will let us know how it all went.
Good luck with everything!